Lexapro 30 mg (Is it normally prescribed?)

In this blog, we are going to talk about 30 mg lexapro. It is one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and can be taken in various doses. This blog will cover the clinical significance and risks associated with 30 mg lexapro. 

What is the clinical significance of 30 mg lexapro?

30 mg lexapro can be used to treat stubborn major depressive disorder (MDD), which does not respond to normal recommended doses. Although it is not advised to use more than 20 mg of lexapro per day, higher doses can still be used in clinical settings. 

Dose escalation with lexapro is relatively easy and can be tolerated well. It is only done if the patient is not allergic to escitalopram or any other excipient present in the formulation. Some people tolerate lexapro well but do not respond to lower doses. 

This results in dose escalation, even more than 20 mg. Such patients are monitored closely to provide immediate treatment if they suffer from any unwanted side effects.

What does research indicate? 

One open study compared the effects of 20 mg and 30 mg lexapro in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The study lasted for 16 weeks and it concluded that 30 mg lexapro showed better results and significantly reduced the symptoms associated with OCD. 

Another study focused on the effects produced by escitalopram on higher doses, up to 50 mg, on 42 patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD). 

It was concluded that patients tolerated 30 mg well, but intolerance was commonly reported on doses 40 mg and higher. The experts suggest that more research is necessary to ensure the long term safety and efficacy of 30 mg lexapro, before starting to prescribe it normally.

Lexapro can also be used to treat generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) at doses higher than 20 mg, but only when the patient seems to function well with this antidepressant. If not, the drug is slowly tapered off and your doctor gives another antidepressant a shot. 

What are the side effects associated with 30 mg lexapro? 

Common side effects of Lexapro include:

• Loss of appetite 
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Sexual issues
• Difficulty in falling asleep
• Vertigo 
• Decreased salivation or dry mouth
• Sweating
• Anxiety 
• Infections caused by decreased immunity
• Nausea
• Shaking
• Weakness
• Sleepiness and fatigue
• Weight gain 

Some serious and rare side effects include:

• Allergic reaction associated with symptoms like redness of skin, itching, burning sensation, blisters, blue-purple patches, tightness of chest, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness etc. 
• Angle-closure glaucoma causes symptoms like eye pain, vision changes, or swelling or redness in your eyes.
• It could cause low sodium levels which can result in psychological symptoms like confusion, agitation, inability to understand surroundings, memory loss etc.
• It can cause elongation of QT interval, causing increased heartbeat or arrhythmia
• Teeth grinding
• It may also put you at an increased risk for dangerous bleeding, especially when taken with medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), warfarin (an anticoagulant medication), or other anticoagulants. 

What are the usual recommended doses for the long term use of lexapro? 

Following are the recommended doses of lexapro:

Depression 

For adults and teenagers (more than 12 years of age): 10 mg per day, either be taken in the morning or at night. Your doctor might adjust the dose according to your condition, but the dose should not exceed 20 mg per day. 

For elderly: 10 mg per day, as directed by the doctor. 

For children (less than 12 years of age): Dose is determined by the doctor according to the condition and body weight. 

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) 

For adults: 10 mg per day, either be taken in the morning or at night. The dose is later adjusted by the doctor, if needed. 

For elderly: 10 mg per day, as directed by the doctor. 

For children: Dose is determined by the doctor according to the condition and body weight. 

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Off-label)

10 mg, once a day. The dose may increase to 20 mg/day after 1 week. It’s best to maintain the lowest effective dose. 

Vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause (Off-label)

10 mg, once a day. The dose may increase to 20 mg once daily, after 4 weeks of treatment, if 10mg fails to provide adequate therapeutic response.

How to ensure the proper usage of lexapro? 

In order to achieve the maximum therapeutic response from a drug, it is extremely important to use it right. Make sure lexapro is the right choice of antidepressant for you. Stick to your doctor’s recommended dose. 

Do not take more or less than that and if you fail to understand how to use the drug properly or have any other question, ask your doctor or pharmacist again. There’s no need to be shy or embarrassed. It is much better to ask again rather than using your antidepressant in a wrong way. 

It is also very important to inform your doctor if you’re pregnant, trying to get pregnant or if you’re a breastfeeding mother. Studies show that lexapro can pass into the breastmilk. It is extremely important to ensure its safety in a breastfed newborn. 

Make sure you’re taking as much as your doctor has recommended. In case of overdose, immediately reach out to the hospital. Make sure you properly guide them about how much drug you have taken and when. 

If you have missed a dose, try taking it as soon as you remember, but if a lot of time has passed and your next dose is near, do not take it. It’s better to skip the missed dose and take the next one. 

Make sure you keep the bottle away from children and pets. In case of lexapro consumption, immediately take them to the hospital. Lexapro is capable of inducing suicidal behavior in people. 

If you have someone who shows suicidal behavior or you see hopelessness in them, make sure you keep an eye on them and get medical attention as soon as you can. This effect is pronounced in young adults and children. 

It is extremely important to monitor your side effects and inform your doctor about any other medication that you might be using along with your lexapro. Drug interactions are a real problem and they are often neglected. 

They should be an important consideration before taking two or more medicines together. Yes, drugs in combination are often used to achieve better therapeutic response but this is not the case with every interaction. 

Some drugs are highly incompatible with one another. They often cancel out each other’s effects or antagonise them. Some drugs are so incompatible that they end up changing the entire chemical composition of one another. 

It is always advised to inform your healthcare provider of any medicine you take before getting a new prescription. Your doctor will make sure not to prescribe any such drug which might interfere with those you are already taking. 

Conclusion 

In this blog, we have discussed the clinical significance of 30 mg lexapro. It can be used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) which does not respond to lower doses. Although it is not advised to use more than 20 mg of lexapro per day, higher doses can be used in clinical settings. 

Dose escalation with lexapro is relatively easy and can be tolerated well. It is only done if the patient is not allergic to escitalopram or any other excipient present in the formulation.

Such patients should be monitored closely in order to ensure their safety and immediate medical attention if they suffer from any dangerous side effects. Make sure you don’t try to increase your dose on your own. 

You should never meddle with your depression treatment. Your doctor will determine whether you need to be shifted on a higher dose or not. It is also not recommended to stop using Lexapro without your doctor’s approval.

FAQs: lexapro 30 mg 

Is 30 mg of Lexapro too much?

Lexapro should not be used more than 20 mg per day. It is the highest dose prescribed for long-term. However, 30 mg lexapro can be used in clinical settings to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), which does not respond to lower doses. 

What does 30 mg of escitalopram do?

30 mg escitalopram is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), but only in clinical settings where patients can be monitored closely. 

What is the highest mg of Lexapro you can take?

The highest take home dose of lexapro is 20 mg. However, higher doses can be used for resistant depression, but only under your doctor’s supervision. 

How does Lexapro make you feel the first week?

Lexapro starts working within 4 to 6 weeks. The first week may cause some side effects, especially mood instability, anxiety, insomnia/drowsiness and gastrointestinal side effects including nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. 

Can I stop Lexapro cold turkey?

You should never stop Lexapro cold turkey. Abrupt withdrawal of lexapro leads to withdrawal or discontinuation syndrome. When you start taking antidepressant, it increases the amount of serotonin in your body. 

Over time, your body gets used to this increased amount of serotonin. When you suddenly stop using it, it creates an unannounced serotonin deficiency, to which your body reacts in a negative way and cause disturbing symptoms. 

What does Lexapro 20 mg do?

Lexapro 20 mg can be used to help relieve the symptoms associated with the following conditions:

• Mild to major depressive disorder (MDD). It can increase the amount of excitatory neurotransmitters to counteract depression symptoms.
• generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), a mental health condition which is associated with general worry or anxiety about pretty much everything without having any logical reason. 

Off-label uses include:

• Lexapro is used to help relieve the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). It is a condition characterised by troublesome thoughts that won’t go away, no matter what you do, and a weird urge to do things over and over again. 
• Lexapro also helps to treat Vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause. These include hot flashes, extreme anxiety, restlessness, heart palpitations, sleep disturbances, mood swings etc. 

References 

• Darin D Dougherty et al. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. (2009) – Open-label study of high (30 mg) and moderate (20 mg) dose escitalopram for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19730388/
• Alan G Wade, Gordon M Crawford, and Ann Yellowlees (2011) – Efficacy, safety and tolerability of escitalopram in doses up to 50 mg in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): an open-label, pilot study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3068950/#__ffn_sectitle
• Karly P Garnock-Jones, Paul L McCormack (2010) – Escitalopram: a review of its use in the management of major depressive disorder in adults https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20806989/ 
• Lexapro – Uses, Side Effects, and More https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-63990/lexapro-oral/details
• Escitalopram (Oral Route) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/escitalopram-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20063707